Shot while driving his car: Lawyer killed in Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines — Lawyer-accountant Duke Ramil Perral Lincuna was fatally shot by an unidentified assailant while driving his car along Sacris Road, Barangay Bakilid, Mandaue City, at around 6:00 a.m. yesterday (December 11, 2025).

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City and the IBP Cebu chapters have strongly condemned the brutal and unlawful killing of Atty. Lincuna, CPA, a respected member of the Bar and a revenue officer of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Large Taxpayers Division.

In an official statement, the IBP Cebu City Chapter said, “This is not merely an assault on one lawyer but an attack on the justice system, public service, and the rule of law itself.”

The organization emphasized that violence against lawyers has escalated into a direct threat to the legal profession, to officers performing mandated duties, and to the safety of communities that rely on them. It warned that impunity must not be allowed to take root.

The statement also called on:

1. Law enforcement agencies to conduct an immediate, coordinated, and uncompromising investigation, and to identify, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators without delay;

2. The Supreme Court, through the Office of the Judiciary Marshal, to strengthen mechanisms for the rapid protection of lawyers and court officers, including coordinated threat assessment and monitoring; and

3. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines to prioritize the full implementation of a Lawyer Security Program, ensuring fast, real-time coordination with law enforcement so that attacks on lawyers are met with swift institutional response and decisive action.

The IBP Cebu Chapter expressed its unwavering support for Atty. Lincuna and his family, stating: “We reaffirm our commitment to defend the legal profession, ensure the safety of our members, and uphold the rule of law with vigilance and resolve. Violence against lawyers is a violence against justice itself, and it will not be met with silence.”

“The IBP Cebu Chapter unequivocally condemns this brazen act of violence. This reprehensible act constitutes not merely a crime against the person of Atty. Lincuna, but a direct, grievous assault on the rule of law and the legal profession itself. Such an attack seeks to obstruct the administration of justice and shall not be tolerated,” the statement said.

The IBP Cebu Chapter formally demanded that the appropriate authorities conduct a rigorous and thorough investigation into the incident. It also extended its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and friends of Atty. Lincuna.

The organization further stated that it is actively coordinating with law enforcement agencies to implement enhanced security measures for its members, ensuring that all lawyers can practice their profession without fear of reprisal or violence.

The murder

Lincuna, a resident of Barangay Lamac in Consolacion, was shot dead after being ambushed by a yet unidentified riding-in-tandem men in Barangay Bakilid, Mandaue City yesterday morning, December 11.

Lincuna was a lawyer-accountant working at the BIR Revenue District Office-81, Cebu City North, handling large-scale businesses and properties.

According to Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) spokesperson Police/Lieutenant Colonel Mercy Villaro, the incident occurred at 5:50 a.m. and was reported to the authorities around 6:35 a.m. yesterday.

Villaro said that, while Lincuna was traveling along Sacris Road in the said barangay from his hometown, two men on a trailing motorcycle, caught up with him and opened fire on the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) he was driving. When he stopped the vehicle, the suspects allegedly approached him and directly shot him multiple times at close range.

The victim was immediately rushed to the Mandaue City District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival after suffering several gunshot wounds to his face, head, and other parts of his body.

Based on the initial police investigation, Villaro disclosed that two angles are currently being investigated as the possible motive for the crime: work-related or personal interest.

“Duha ka angle ang atong gitan-aw—work-related ug sa iyahang personal,” she said in an interview with reporters yesterday.

Villaro added that investigators are continuously gathering additional information regarding the victim's whereabouts, stressing that he may have received death threats before the incident transpired.

She also mentioned that the victim's family and relatives had already cooperated with the police yesterday by providing important information that could help expedite the investigation.

During the assessment of the responding police personnel and the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) at the crime scene, Villaro said at least eight empty bullet shells scattered along the road had been recovered.

Authorities also found that the driver's seat was covered in blood, the driver's side window was broken, and the vehicle had multiple bullet holes from the shooting.

Several items inside Lincuna's car were also recovered, including clothes, paper documents, and some amounts of money wrapped in Angpao or the traditional Chinese red envelope.

The victim’s car is currently placed outside the Mandaue City Police Station 2 for further investigation.

Additionally, police authorities also conducted ongoing backtracking on CCTV footage around the crime scene to possibly determine the identities of the two gunmen, who were seen wearing red and black jackets and helmets.

“Padayon gihapon ang pag-gather og information about sa insidente para mas mapalapdan pa gyud nato ug makuha nato kung naa ba’y mastermind ug kinsa man lang gali ang mga suspek niining pagpatay sa biktima,” said Villaro. — /RAE (FREEMAN)